Belt splice



May 11, 1948. G, WALTERS l2,441,460

BELT SPLICE 3 splice-joint construction of the bottom ply looking in the direction of the arrow 24 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 25 is a front elevation illustrating a method and apparatus which may be employed in making the lower left interwoven splice-joint shown in Figs. 29 and 24 with the parts of the belt in schematic edge elevation;

Fig. 26 is a right end View of Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a front elevation illustrating a method and apparatus which may be employed in making the upper right interwoven splice-joint shown in Fig; 20, with the parts of the belt in schematic edge elevation;

Fig. 28 is a right end view of Fig. 27; and

Fig. 29 is a schematic edge elevation of another modied belt-construction.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of the draw-` ings showing the particular form of the invention illustrated therein, the single-ply endless belt 39 is formed of a tape-like strip or strip of belting 3i which extends around the pulleys 32 and 33 and has its two end-portions 34 and 35 spliced together to form the interwoven splice or joint 39.

The tape-like strip 3| is formed by means of longitudinal or warp-strands 3l (Fig. 4) interwoven with transverse or weft or -lling-strands or picks 39.- Preliminaryto making the interwoven splice-joint 39, enough of the transverse strands or picks 39 are removed from the endportions 34 and 35 to leave ample lengths of longitudinal strand-portions or strand-ends 39 and 49 respectively on the end-portions 34 and 35. The longitudinal strand-portions 39 and 49 are schematically shown with alternate strandportions of different lengths for clearness of illustration in Figs. 2 and 3.

In making the interwoven splice or splice-joint 39, most clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the free longitudinal strand-portions 39 of the strip endportion 34 can be bent back upon the top of the woven portion o f the end 34 of which they are part, and similarly, the longitudinal strand-portions 49 can be bent back upon the woven portion of the end 35. Then, with the woven portions of the ends 34 and 35 having been brought into end-to-end abutting relation (see Fig. 4) at what may be called the interwoven cross-over location 4l, one strand-portion 39 can be swung over to the right to lie upon the top of the woven part of the end-portion 35, then a strand-portion 49 can be swung over to the left past the just-mentioned strand-portion 39 until the strand-portion 49 lies upon the woven portion of the end 34, and similarly, the remaining longitudinal strand-portions 39 and 49 can alternately be interwoven past one another until finally all of them have been arranged as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 with the past-extending strandend portions displaced or offset thicknesswise of the strip, from their respective longitudinal strands in such strip-ends preceding said crossover location. It will be appreciated that most of the figures of the drawings of this application are schematic views, and that, therefore, lthe sho-wings of many parts are conventionalized and out of proportion in order to obtain clear and easily understood drawings. ThisV is especially so as concerns the showing of the thickness and the uniformity of arrangement of the interwoven longitudinal strand-portions. In order to secure the longitudinal strand-portions 39 and 49 down onto the outer or top face 44 of the lbelt 39, the strand-portions 39 and 49 can respectively be fastened down with stitches 42 and 43, or they mmm can be cemented down by vulcanizable or other rubber cement or other suitable cementitious material, or both, or they can be fastened down in any other suitable desired Way. It will be observed from Figs. l and 4 that the strandportions 39 and 49 in the finished splice, llie on the top or outer face 44 of the belt, away from and out of possible contact with the pulleys 32 and 33, and that the inner or pulley face 45 of the belt is entirely free of any projection, so that this portion of the belt at the spliced-joint passes freely over and in contact with the faces of the pulleys 32 and 33 substantially the same as the rest of the belt. When it is found more convenient for easy manipulation of the longitudinal strand-portions 39 and 49 in carrying out the .interweaving operation, they can be made longer than needed in the finished splice, and then can be trimmed off just before or after they are fastened down.

The modified form of interwoven splice 46 of the single-ply belt 41 shown ,in Fig. 6 is similar to the splice 39 of the belt 39 shown in Figs. 1 to 5, but has the ends 48 and 49 of the respective longitudinal strand-portions 39 and 49 anchored by being drawn down through the woven body of the belt 41 and cut off at the lower face of the belt so as to anchor these ends in the belt. If desired, cement can also be applied to the lower portions of the ends 48 and 49 to cement them to the belt. If desired, the main or horizontal portions 59 and 5| of the respective strand-portions 39 and 49 on the upper face ofv the belt can also be cemented and/or stitched or otherwise secured to the upper face of the belt.

The modied form` of interwoven splice 52 of the single-ply belt 53 shown in Fig. '7 is similar to the splice 39 of the belt 39 of Figs. l to 5, but has the longitudinal strand-portions 39 and 49 interwoven in groups of two strands instead of as single strands, and also has the ends of the strand-portions 39 and 49 trimmed to V-shape form 54.

The modied form of interwoven splice 55 of the single-ply belt 59 shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is similar to the splice 52 of the belt 53 of Fig. 7, but has the ends of the longitudinal strand-portions 39 and 49 trimmed along parallel lines 4l extending at an acute angle'to the side edges of the belt.

The modified form of interwoven splice 58 of the single-ply belt 59 shown in Fig. 10 is somewhat similar to the splice 36 of the belt 39 of Figs. 1 to 5, but the ends of the woven portions of the ends 34 and 35 are not brought into abutting relation, but are spaced apart as shown, and the interwoven longitudinal strand-portions 39 and 49 are located mainly between the spaced ends of the woven portions of the ends 34 and 35, and are secured together by stitches 59 and/ or cement.

The modied form of interwoven splice 6| of the single-ply belt 62 shown in Fig. 11 is similar to the splice 53 of the belt 59 shown in Fig. l0, but has two filler-pieces 63 and 64 inserted between the interwoven strand-portions 39 and 49, the

y parts 39, 49, 63 and 64 being secured together by 'the vtape-like strip Se. The 'end-portion G8 'of the tape-like strip G6 has its longitudinal strandportion's 69 separated 'from one 'another and interwoven with similarly-separated longitudinal strand-portions 10 of the other end-portion 1| of the strip B6 to form the interwoven splice 12. The interwoven longitudinal strand-portions and 73 canbe secured down upon the upper surface of the tape-like strip BS by means of cement or other desired means. And if desired, the extreme ally similar to the splice 35 of the single-ply belt of Figs'. l to 5. The splices 7S and 18 are displaced or odset longitudinally of the belt from each other with the interwoven longitudinal strand-portions ed and 8l of the splice 16 and the interwoven longitudinal strand-portions 82 and 8?. of the splice 'i3 lying in the interior of the belt between the plies 'El and i9. By spacing the splices of the two plies longitudinally of the belt from each other instead of having them ldirectly vever one another, the resultant endless belt will have more-nearly-uniform ilexlbility and weight and resistance to repeated flexing throughout its length. A ller-strip 8d having substantially the same effective thickness as the increase in thickness of the portion of the belt in which the strand-portions et, 3l, S2 and 83 are located, extends throughout the length and width of the belt not occupied by the strand-portions 8U, 8|, 82 and 83, so as to make the belt of substantially-uniforin thickness throughout its length. Where the two-ply belt ''is originally woven as a length of two-ply woven belting, the ller-strip 84 can be conveniently provided by weaving a layer of gutting warps between thetwo plies 'Il and 'I9 during the weaving operation, in which case, the portions of the Eller-strip which initially occupy the space shown in the drawing as occupied by the interwoven strand-portions 86, 8|, 82 and 83,

would be removed as part of the operation 'of` lseparating the plies in the region to be spliced, which separating operation can be accomplished by severing the binder or binder warp-strands which interconnect the two plies of a woven twoply fabric, by means of a sharp knife or the like, as is well understood by those skilled in the art.

Where the two-ply belt 'l5 is made from two originally separate lengths of single-ply beltlng `or fabric, ordinarily each length of single-ply fabric would have its ends spliced together by an interwoven splice as shown, to thus produce two independent single-ply endless belts, withA one of the belts shorter than the'other so as to be of properv length to nt properly inside of the other, with the ller-strip S4, o fabric, rubberized fabric, rubber', or other suitable material', between them. The plies and ller-strip can be secured 'together by vulcanizable rubber or other cement, 'and/or sewing longitudinally through the two plies and ller strip, throughout the'length of the thus-made two-ply endless belt. In this case, 4the two splices can be longtiudinally spaced apart any desired distance up to half the total length ofthe completed endless belt without wasting belting material, as would occur if the-two splices of a two-ply'woven length of bel'ting were spaced i'ar apart. Where the interwoven 'splice's' are spaced so far apart that there is a 'gap betv'ven' d 'the interwoven'strand-portions of one splice and the lei'e'st intewverl strandt-portions f the yether splice, vla length of .nlle-strip would also be inserted to the gap. It ifs to be noted, Yhowever, that the interwoven strand-portions of the splioe's are shown schematically llllch thicker than they vwould ordinarily be., and, in any case, the two-ply belt made from two separate plies of fabric could be .marde without Y'employing any 4speuniform thickness during lthe bo'mpleti'on of the cementlng operation ina way well known to those skilledin the art, would cause 'cement 'to be 'squeezed out Ifrom the belt areas of greater thickness, to thus 'vary the thickness of the cement Jin different areas to thus produce a belt 'of uniform thickness. Another way in which a multi-.ply belt 'can be made from single-ply fabric Ior beltlng, lis folding the Ysingle-ply material 'transyersely along a l'ongtiudinal line lor lines, and lolllgitll'dirlfa'lly 'sewing fand/br cem'enting the layers of the material together, as is well understood .by those skilled in the art.

The rncdi'ed form of splice 85 ofthe two-ply bel-t 85 illustrated in Fig. 15, includes the interwoven splice -81 'of the .ply 88 'and the "overlapped splice 89 of the ply 99. The splice 81 of the ply 88 is generally 'similar to the vsplice 1S of the ply 1l or Fig. 14, but the :overlapped splice 8l! of 'the ply vSill is formed by arranging the longitudiin'g the longitudinal strand-portions 92 in overlapping superposed relation. In addition to' the filler-strip 93 whichfis similar to vthe 'filler-strip 84 cf Fig. 14, a supplemental fellerstrip or block 94 is interposed between the ller-s'tri-p 93 and the layer of strand-portions 9| to make this portion of the belt of substantially 'the saine thickness 'as the rest of the belt. The layers of strandportions 9| and 92 and :nner-block '94 and nuerstrlpvs?. and lower ply '88, and the plies 88 and Y 98 and filler-strip 83, can be connected together by any suitable inea'ns as by cel'nenting `'and/or y sewing as described concerning the construction belt SiS, is formed by overlapping portions 99 .and cut at an angle along the line orplane of juncture Illl. In addition to `ceiierl-til'lg 'and/or sewing the 'parts ef thev 'splice 95 o the belt. se together similarly to the way described concerning Fig. 15, the adjoining edges of the upper ply .98 can be 'cemented together along their plane of juncture I0 l.

The yforint of Splice H32 f the three-ply belt les illustrated in Fig v18, has the three plies IM, '|05' andv l-U respectively provided with interwoven splices Inl, ma and las, sneller to the interwoven splices hereinb'efoi'e described. A filler-strip H0 extends throughout the entire length of the endless belt except in the region of the belt splice' m2, to vinake the belt of substantially-uniform thickness throughout its length. The plies and 'other parts' of the belt are connetted together by any suitable means, as by cementing and/or sewing as hereinbefore described.

The form or splice lll ci' the three-'ply belt H2 ilIuSt'ted in Fig. 19, has the lower and upper outside plies H3 and H4 'respectively provided with interwoven splices H5 and HB similar to the interwoven splices hereinbefore described, but the intermediate ply ||1 has longitudinal strand-portions ||8 and ||9 respectively in overlapping relation with longitudinal strand-portions -oi the splice ||5 and longitudinal strand-portions |2| of the splice H3. Any suitable iller material |22 such, for example, as vulcanizable rubber, with or without added fibres or fabric, can be vulcanized in place to make the splice region of the belt of substantially the same thickness as the rest of the belt. The plies and other parts of the belt can be connected together by any suitable means, as by cementing and/or sewing as hereinbefore described.

In order that it will be clear how any belt, whether of four plies, or of a greater or lesser number of plies than four, can be spliced in accordance with the present invention, one 'mode of procedure or method of splicing the four-ply belt |23 illustrated in Figs. 20 to 28, will now be described. The complete splicing operation involves many steps, and in describing the procedure, forbrevity, only one order of carrying out these steps will be described, but it is not intended to indicate any particular order as essential, as it will be obvious that many of the steps can be carried out in any of a number of different orders,

The splice-construction of the four-ply belt schematically illustrated in Figs. 20 to 28, for clearness is shown in Fig. 20 in a much more opened-up schematic form than was employed in illustrating the forms of the invention illustrated in the previous gures.

The four-ply belt |23 which is provided with the splice |24 which includes the two interwoven splices |25 and |29, as illustrated in Figs. 20 to 28 inclusive, is formed from a length of woven four-ply belting |21, which as originally woven included plies |28, |29, `|30 and |3| connected together by binder warp-strands |32. Each of the four woven plies is formed of interwoven warp-strands |33 and weft-strands or picks |34.

Notwithstanding the many operations involved in splicing the belt |23 illustrated in Figs. 20 to 28, a skilled worker accomplishes the splicing with considerable speed, but in doing so, he frequently performs the various steps in an order which would be very difficult if not impossible for the reader to follow, and as no particular order of steps is essential, the steps will be described in the easiest-to-follow order. Also, the

skilled worker will ordinarily carry out his operations so as to provide excess lengths of longitudinal-strand portions which are to be interwoven, and th'en at a later Stage of the splicing process will trim 01T the excess lengths of such strands. But again, for clearness and to avoid confusion, the steps of the operations will be described as though the various strand-portions were originally provided as illustrated in Figs. 20 to 28 of the drawings.

Prior to splicing the left end-portion vand the right end-portion |35 of the tape-like strip or length oi four-ply belting |21 together, the ends of all four plies f the end-portion |35 will ordinai-ily all extend along to the same point or location (not shown) as would be made by a transverse cut square across the ends of the four plies or? the end-portion |35, and similarly for the other end-portion |36.

With a sharp knife or other suitable implement, the binder-strands |32 interconnecting the two upper plies |35 and |3|, are severed beginning from the extreme right end |31 of the left endlportion |35 of the strip of belti'ng |21, back to a vlocation |38, the binder-strands |32 interconnecting the two intermediate plies |29 and |39, are simil-arly severed back to a location |39; and the binder strands |32 interconnecting the two lower plies |28v and |29, are similarly severed back to a location |40.

The weft picks |34 are ravelled or pulled out of the top ply |3| of the left end-portion |35 from the end |31 back to a location |4| to leave layers or h'arnesses of free longitudinal warp strand-portions |42'and |43. The layer of strandportions |42 is cut back to a location |44. The next-to-top ply |39 of the left end-portion |35 is cut oil back to a location |45 and the weft picks |34 are removed from the ply |39 from the end or location |45 back to a location |45 to leave a iayer or harness of free longitudinal warp strandportions |41, and leave a similar layer or harness of longitudinal warp strand-portions (not shown) above the layer of strand-portions |41 and which have been out away back to |48 at the location |45.

The next-to-bottom ply |29 of the left endportion |35 is cut oii back to a location |49 and the weft-picks |34 are removed from the ply |29 from the end or location |49 back to a location |59A to leave a layer or harness of free longitudinal warp strand-portions |5|, and leave a similar layer or harness of longitudinal warp strandportions (not shown) below the layer of strandportions |5| and which have been cut away back to |52 at the location |59.

The bottom ply |28 of the left end-portion |35 is cut Off back to a location |53 and the weft-picks |34 are removed from the ply |28 from the end or location |53 back to a location |54 to leave layers or harnesses of free longitudinal warp strand-portions |55 and |56. The layer of strandportions |55 are cut back to a location |51.

Operations corresponding to those hereinbefore described for the left end-portion |35 of the length of belting |21, are performed on the right end-portion |33 of the belting, so as to provide corresponding parts, including the parts numbered |31a, |39a, |4|a, |42a, |43a, |41a, |5|a, |5l|u, |55a and |5611, respectively corresponding to the similar parts of the left end-portion |35 numbered |31, |39, llll, |42, |43, |41, |5|, |54, |55 and |56.

The left and right end-portions `|35 and |33 as thus prepared for making the splice |24 of the belt |23 illustrated in Fig. 20, can conveniently be placed in end-to-'end relation on the at top suriace |58 of a table or block |59 (Figs. 25 to 26), with the two top plies |38 and |3| of the left end-portion |35 bent back out off the way and held by any suitable means, such for example, as by being frictionally held by a spring clamp |30, and with the two top plies |39 and |3| of the right end-portion |36 bent back out of the way and frictionally held by a similar spring clamp Il, with the locations |54 and |5441. of the bottom ply |28 in as close together relation as is feasible, and with the free longitudinalstrandportions |55 and |56 bent back to the left (not so shown) above the ply |28 and with the free longitudinal strand-portions |55a and |55a bent back to the right (not so shown) above the ply |23. The described bent-back positions of the free longitudinal strand-portions are merely preliminary positions of convenience.

Next, the nearest two of the longitudinal strand-portions |55 and |56 are swung as a group (Figs. 24 and 25) from their left-bent-back posi- 9 tion over to the right beyond their position shown inl Fig. 25. Then1 thenearest two of the longitudinal strand-portions |55a and |56a are swung as a. group from their right-bent-back position over to the; left beyond their positionshown in Fig..25. Then the next four (Fig. 24) longitudinal strand-portions |55- a-nd- 55 are swung as a group Ifrom their left-ben-t-back position over to the righ-t, and the corresponding next four longitudinalstrand-portions.|55a andA |55`a are swung as a group from` their` right-bent-back position over to the left, and so on with each group of four strand-portions |55 and I '56, and then with each group of four strand-portions |5511 and Hita until all the free longitudinal strand-portions |55, |55, |55a and |55a are thus interwoven, until the location near thefar edge (not shown) of the ply |28- is reached where there are less than four strands |55, |55 left and less than four strands |55a, |56a left, when these lesser numbers of strands are interwoven asgroups,A each of which groups may containl two or three strands. If for any reason more strands are found in one last group than in the complemental last group, such excess strandv or strands canY be added to the pre. ceding one or two correspondingr groups of four.

I have-found that-by having a majority of the free. longitudinal strand-portions interwoven as groups of strands rather than as single strands,

the resulting interwoven splice has ,agreater length of. life. It is advantageousto have mo-st of the longitudinal strand-portions in groups of at least three strandabut any number of. strands upto even eightor more can be employed in. a group. But whenY too large a-number Yof'strands are in a group, the interwoven splice has a rather less attractive appearance. I have found that. having six strands in agroup produces a satisfactory-appearing interwoven splice ofv very long life; The interwoven strands at the opposite edges'ofv the interwoven splice of a ply are preferably interwoven as single strands oras groups of not more than two or three strands each, inorder to produce 4reasonably smooth. appearing oppositeedges ofthe interwoven splice.VY v

Ifv the thus interwoven longitudinal strandportions |55, |56, |55a andr` |56a are oi" excess length,l as the operator will usually leave them until after they have been interwoven, they are cut tov properk lengthsand. cemented down, preferably with vulcanizable rubber cement, to produce theinterwoven splice or joint |25, lschematioally shown at the top of lFig, 27' but actually completed while-in-positionA on the tableY or block |59 shown-in-:Fig..2'5.

To make theinterwoven splice or joint |26 of' the-topply |3| showninFig. 20,-a block |52y (Figs. 27 and 28) may be provided with a central curvedV depressedl sur-face |53 and two spaced-apart iiatA including, the end`portionsl|3`5 and |36 ,and the interwoven splice |25 Acemented and r'ireferablyv atl least partly dried. could` either' be rotated about'Y an axis parallellto the lengthv of the' beltportion or about an axis.' at right angles tothe plane of. Eig., 23", and then` pushedl frictiona'lly under thevclamps.; |55 andL I'BFI'..A It willfbe seen from: the positions.- ot the interwovensplicesl |25' and` |25A thatfthe-letten directionofl rotation has itY willA be understood that'these dimensions may been employed. Thus, the completed interwoven splice |25 is located up out of the way, and the woven end-locations |4| and |4|a of the ply |'3'| are brought into as close as feasible abutting relation in supporte-d position onthe curved surface |63 of the block |62, preliminary to interweaving and cementing down the longitudinal strand-portions |42, |43, ||2a and Ida to forni the interwoven splice |25, in a similar way to that described concerning the interwoven splice |25.

The spring-arm clamps |65, |5l, |55 and |51 can be attachedV to their respective supportingblocks |59 and. |52 in any suitable Way, as for example by screws extending. through vertical slots |'69` of any desired length to provide for vertical Aadjustment of the clamps.

After the cement on the interwoven splices |25 and |25 has dried `s'uflicieritly to permit o'f free handling-the opposed'faces |15 and |1| (Fig. 2'1)v of the pliesy |29 and |35 including the interwoven strand areas are coated preferably with vulcanizable rubber cement between the locations inforced by sewing, rows of edge-stitches |13 andv |14 (Figs. 21', 22 and 23) are sewed over theI oppositeside-edges |15 arid |15 of the belt, approximately 'for the length of theV cemented-together faces |19' and |1| indicated by the line |12.in Fig.V 2l. Rows of stitches |11 and |18 are respectively sewed through the belt and over the tops of the edge-stitches |13 and |14, and inter-v mediate rows oi stitches |19 are similarly sewed through the belt.

Next',` the belt-splice' |23A is properly heated to vuieanize au thek rubber cement in the splice.

Next,r the whole belt is" treated or impregnated with a vulcanizable rubber solution or dispersion in solvent, and after drying the solvent out suf# ficiently,. the entire Vbelt is properly heated to vulc'ariivze it in a' way'w'ell known to those skilled inthe art. It isV not necessary'to vulcanize the belt-splice before impregnating and vulcanizing the whole' belt, if suiiicientV care is taken to prevent'the impregnating rubber solution from looseningl the previously-cemented parts, thus permitting of performing all the vulcanizing in a singlevulcaniz'ing operation.

Except' for the exaggerated thickness ofthe stitches' in Figs. 21, 22 and 23, these figures il"- lustrate the belt of Figs. 20 to 28 in approximate--Y thicker than they actually are in proportion to' the lengths of the parts shown' in these iigures,

and similar exaggerated thickness' ofparts isfalso "true of theconstruction o'f Fig. 29 to be later described.

In the particular four-ply belt illustrated in Figs. 20 to 28,1 the kvarious parts were made of the following approximate dimensions, although bewidelyy varied; Width of belt, one andithreequarter inches j thickness of belt, three sixteenths Qian inch; lengtnor iongitudinm strano-portionsv tratedlinV schematic. edge view in. Fig. 29 is made up of two two-plywoven beltsV |8|l and |82, re-

spectively having their originally free beltingends spliced together by interwoven splices |83 and |84 similar to the interwoven splices shown in Figs. 2O to 2S. After the two two-ply belts I8| and |82 have been thus spliced to form two endless belts, with the belt |82 of suitably less length than the belt |8I, the inside of belt |8| and the outside of belt |82 are coated with vulcanizable rubber cement, and after suitable drying of the same, the belt |82 is placed inside of the belt |8| with a layer |85 of vulcanizable rubber between them, and after pressing the parts together to form the belt |88, the same can be impregnated with vulcanizable rubber solution, and after drying, the belt |80 can be vulcanized, as is well understood in the art. The layer |85 may be of soft vulcanized rubber or spronge rubber, or of other suitable flexible or elastic material such as a resin, such for example as a plasticized vinyl resin, and the layer |85 may have any desired thickness from one thirty-second of an inch up to one-quarter of an inch ,or more, depending upon the use to which the belt is to be put. Thus, where the belt is to be used to pass between a pair of fixed rolls and -carry materials therebetween, the layer |85 would be fairly thick, and might be of sponge rubber to more readily permit of hard particles carried on the belt between the rolls to be pressed into the surface of the belt temporarily without injury to the belt. But where the belt is to be used merely to transmit power between two pulleys, there ordinarily need be no thickness to the layer |85, and inA this case the two two-ply belts could be cemented together in contact with one another. The interwoven splices |83 and |84 both face toward the center of the belt |80, similar to the splices |25 and |26 of the belt |23 of Figs. 20

to 28, but the splices |83 and |84 are Preferably spaced apart the maximum distance from each other, so that the length of belt between them is the same in both directions.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, most strands used in the manufacture of textile belting are cabled strands. A cabled strand is formed of two or more yarns or smaller strands twisted together. When, for example, two yarns are twisted together to form a strand, the diameter, that is the maximum diameter, of the strand at any point along its length is equal to the sum of the diameters of the two yarns forming the strand, so that the diameter (maximum diameter) of the strand may be said to be constant along the length of the strand, although the rotational position of this maximum diameter shifts along the strand formed by the helically twisted yarns. From the foregoing, the meaning of expressions such as substantially constant-diametered strand-end portions, and the like, will be evident.

Expressions such as strips secured together in superposed relation are intended to mean that the strips are located one over another, thicknesswise of the strips, and secured together, regardless of whether or not any two of the strips are in direct contact with one another.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the lspirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Iclaim:

l. An endless belt including: a tape-like strip of at least one ply, and having two strip-ends; said strip having a plurality of longitudinal strands vwhich extend substantially throughout the length of the strip, and which longitudinal strands are laterally secured together; said stripends being spliced together by splice-means -including substantially constant-diametered strandend portions of saidrlongitudinal strands of each said strip-end extending between and past said strand-end portions of the other strip-end, along a cross-over location extending widthwise of the strip; and at least part of the length of said past-extending strand-end portions of said stripends being offset in the same general direction thicknesswise of the strip from their respective longitudinal strands in said strip-ends preceding said cross-over location.

2. An endless belt including: a tape-like strip of at least one ply, and having two strip-ends; said Vstrip having a plurality of longitudinal strands which extend substantially throughout the length of the strip, and which longitudinal strands are laterally secured together; said stripends being spliced together by splice-means including groups of strand-end portions of said longitudinal strands of each said strip-end extending between and past groups of strand-end portions of the' other strip-end, along a cross-over location extending widthwise of the strip, each said group consisting of a plurality of said strand-end portions; and at least part of the length of said past-extending strand-end portions of said strip-ends being offset in the same general direction thicknesswise of the strip from their respective longitudinal strands in said stripends preceding said cross-over location.

3. An endless belt including: a tape-like strip of at least one ply, and having two strip-ends; said strip having a plurality of longitudinal strands which extend substantially throughout the length of the strip and each of which longitudinal strands is of substantially constant diameter substantially throughout its length, and which longitudinal strands are laterally secured together; said strip-ends being spliced together by splice-means including substantially constantdiametered strand-end portions of said longitudinal strands of each said strip-end extending between and past said strand-end portions of the other strip-end, along a cross-over location extending Widthwise of the strip; and at least part of the length of said past-extending strand-end portions of said strip-ends being offset in the same general direction thicknesswise of the strip from their respective longitudinal strands in said strip-ends preceding said cross-over location, and being secured against the strip along securingregions at opposite sides of said cross-over location.

4. An endless belt including: a tape-like strip of at least one ply, and having two strip-ends; said strip having a plurality of longitudinal strands which extend substantially throughout the length .of the strip, and which longitudinal strands are woven with a plurality of transverse strands; said strip-ends being spliced together by splice-means including substantially constantdiametered strand-end portions of said longitudinal strands of each said strip-end extending between and past saidv strand-end portions of the other strip-end, along a cross-over location extending widthwise of the strip; and at least part of the length .of said past-extending strandend portions of' saidT4 strip-ends. being offsetV in.

the Sarnegeneral direction thicknesswise ofthe;-

strip from their respective. longitudinal strands said`- stri-p having a plurality of.v longitudinal.

strands which extend'su-bstantially throughout the length of the strip, andlwhich longitudinal strandsare woven with a pluralityof transverse strands; said strip-ends bei-ng: spliced together by. splice means including strand-end'portions of said longitudinal strands of' eac-l1-y said strip-end' having:

the transverse strandsy removed therefrom, and'. said strand-end portions of:` each said strip-end extending: between and'y past, strand-ende portions of the other strip-end', alonga cross-over loca.` tion extending w-idthwisey of. the strip; and' at. least part of' the length of' said?Y past-extending strand-end portions or. sai-di strip-ends` being. ofisetin thev same general. direction thickne'sswise of the strip from their respective: longitudinall strands in saidA` stripfends preceding.v said crossover location, and beingsecuredagainst the strip along securing-regions at opposite sides off said` cross-rover location.

6. An endless belt including: a plurality ofv tape-like strips: secured together` in. superposed relation; one` ofi said` strips being` one` outside strip, andi anotherv of said strips: being theother outside stripof' the belt; one outsidestripA hav,-

ing two strip-ends, and eachof said. strip-ends having longitudinal strand-portionssaid one out.,- side strip-liaving its saidl strip-ends spliced: together by splice-means.. including longitudinal strand-portions of each: off its strip-ends extend.-`

ing betweeniandzpasti longitudinal strand'fportions of its other strip-end, along-a erosstover location. extending wiclt-hwise ofi the strip; and at. least part of the length ofsaid past-extending strands.

' relation; one of.saidstripsbeing-one outside strip,

andi another of saidstrips beingfthe other outside strip of the belt; one. outside strip having. two striptendsand having, a pluralityof longitudinal strands which ext-end substantially throughoutthe length of the strip. andwhich are laterally secured together; said one outside strip having its said strip-ends splicedv together by splice-k Ineans including strand-end: portions of saidl'ongitudinal strands ofk each. of its-f strip-ends eX- tending between and past strand-end portions oi its other strip-end, along a cross-over location extending widthwise of the strip; and at least part of the length of said past-extending strand-end portions of said strip-ends of said one outside strip being oiset thicknesswise of such strip from their respective longitudinal vstrands in said strip-ends preceding said'cross-over location, toward the other outside strip, and said pastextending strand-end portions being located in the belt between the opposite outside faces of the belt.

8. An endless belt including: a plurality of tapelike strips: secured" together; in superposedvv rela-i tion; one of.' said strips being. oneoutside strip, andi another of said-' strips being the other out.- sidestri'paoi thefbelt; each outside strip having.

twost-rip-ends; and each strip-end.v of each outside strip. havingy longitudinal' strand-portions; each outside strip` having its said strip-ends spliced-together byvsplice-I'neans including longi-r tudinal' strand-'portions of each of its stripeends extending between and past longitudinal strand,-y portionsoiits other strip-end', along a cross-over location extending widthwise of the strip; and at least part of? the length of. said pastfextending strand-#portions of' eachvoutside strip being offsetl thicknesswise of such` strip. from the: strip-end portions preceding said.` cross-over location, toward the other outside strip, and' said pasaca-4 tending strand-portions being located in: the belt between the opposite outside faces ofthe belt.

9. An 4endless belt including: a plurality of tapelike strips secured together in superposed relation; one of said strips being one outside strip, and anotheroi said strips being the other outside strip of the belt; each outs-ide striphaving two strip-ends, and! having a plurality of longitudinal' strands which extend substantially throughout thelengthofj such strip, and which are latv erally secured together; each outsidel strip having-itssaid strip-ends spliced together by splicemeans'including strand-end portions of said longitudinal! strandsv ofy each of. its strip-ends extending betweenand past strand-end'portions of its other strip-end; along a cross-over location extending widthwise of the strip; and at least part* ofthe length of saidpasteextending strandendj portions of' each'- outside strip being` offset' thicknesswi'seof such strip from their respective longitudinal strands i-n4 said strip-ends preceding said cross-over location, toward the other outside strip, and` said past-extending strand-end por` tions being located in the belt between the oppo site outsidef'aces ofthe belt'.

lO-z An endless belt including: a plurality of tape-like strips secured together in superposedAv relation; one of said strips being oneoutside-strip,`

and-another oifsaidfstripsbeing the otheroutside strip of; the belt; each outside-striphaving two strip-ends, and havingv a plurality oflongitudinalv strands which extend substantially throughout the length offsueh strip, and which are-lateralhr secured together; each outside strip having its saidstrip-ends'spliced together byl splice-means includingy strand-endportions of' said longitudinalf strands ofieach of its strip-end`s extending between and past st-rand-endip'ortions of its other strip-erichV alonga cross-over location extending wid-thwise o-the strip; at least part ofthe length of' said past-extending strand-end portions oi eachh outside strip being offset thicknesswise ofv such" strip from their respective longitudinalV strands-4 in said st'ripeends preceding said cross over location, toward the other outside strip, and said past-extendingstrandend porti-onsI beingflocated in the belt between the opposite outside faces of the belt; and the cross-over location of the strand-end portions of lone said outside strip being displaced a substantial distance longitudinally of the belt from the cross-over location of the strand-end portions of the other said outside strip.

1l. An endless belt including: a plurality of tape-like strips secured together in superposed relation; one ofsaid strips being one outside strip, and another of said strips being the other 15 ing two strip-ends, and having a plurality of longitudinal strands which extend substantially throughout the length of such strip, and which longitudinal strands are woven with a plurality of transverse strands; each outside strip having its said strip-ends spliced together by splicemeans including strand-end portions of said longitudinal strands of each of its strip-ends extending between and past strand-end portions of its other strip-end, along a cross-over location extending widthwise of the strip; and at least part of the length of said past-extending strandend portions of each outside strip being offset thicknesswise of such strip from their respective longitudinal strands in said strip-ends preceding said cross-over location, toward the other outside strip, and said past-extending strand-end portions being located in the belt between the opposite outside faces of the belt.

l2. An endless belt including: a plurality of tape-like strips secured together in superposed relation; one of said strips being one outside strip, and another of said strips being the other outside strip of the belt; each outside strip having two strip-ends, and having a plurality of longitudinal strands which extend substantially throughout the length of such strip, and which longitudinal strands are woven with a plurality of transverse strands; each outside strip having its said strip-ends spliced together by splice-means including strand-end portions of said longitudinal strands of each of its strip-ends having the transverse strands removed therefrom, and said strandend portions of each said strip-end extending between and past strand-end portions of its other strip-end, along a cross-over location extending widthwise of the strip; and at least part of the length of said past-extending strand-end portions of each outside strip being offset thicknesswise of such strip from their respective longitu- ,A

dinal strands in said strip-ends preceding said cross-over location, toward the other outside strip, and said past-extending strand-end portions being located in the belt between the opposite outside faces of the belt.

13. An endless belt including: at least three tape-like strips secured together in superposed relation; each outside strip, and each strip next inward adjacent an outside strip, having two strip-ends and having a plurality of longitudinal strands which extend substantially throughout the length of the strip containing them, and which longitudinal strands are woven with a plurality of transverse strands; each outside strip having its strip-ends spliced together by splicemeans including strand-end portions of its longitudinal strands of each of its strip-ends having the transverse strands removed therefrom, and said strand-end portions of each of its strip-ends extending between and past strand-end portions of its other strip-end, along a cross-over location extending widthwise of such strip; each strip next inward adjacent an outside strip having each of 60 Number 16 its strip-ends stop a substantial distance short of the cross-over location of the next adjacent outside strip; and at least part of the length of said past-extending strand-end portions of each out- 1 side strip being offset thicknesswise of such strip from their respective longitudinal strands in said strip-ends preceding said cross-over location, toward the other outside strip, and said past-extending strand-end portions being located in the belt between the opposite outside faces of the belt.

14. An endless belt including: at least four tape-like strips secured together in superposed relation; each outside strip, and each strip next inward adjacent an outside strip, having two strip-ends and having a plurality of longitudinal strands which extend substantially throughout the length of the strip containing them, and which longitudinal strands are woven with s, plurality7 of transverse strands; each outside strip having its strip-ends spliced together by splice-means including strand-end portions of its longitudinal strands of each of its strip-ends having the transverse strands removed therefrom, and said strandend portions of each of its strip-ends extending between and past strand-end portions of its other strip-end, along a cross-over location extending widthwise of such strip; each strip next inward adjacent an outside strip having each of its stripends stop a substantial distance short of the cross-over location of the next adjacent outside strip; at least part of the length of said pastexten-ding strand-end portions of each outside strip being offset thicknesswise of such strip from their respective longitudinal strands in said stripends preceding said cross-over location, toward the other outside strip, and said past-extending strand-end portions being located in the belt between the opposite outside faces of the belt; and the cross-over location of the strand-end portions of one said outside strip being displaced a substantial distance longitudinally of the belt from the cross-over location of the strand-end portions of the other said outside strip.

GUSTAV WALTERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Herr May 8, Geisel Apr. 28, Reed Mar. 13, Fuller Nov. 20, Kimmich Nov. 12, I-i-eber et al. Feb. 28,

FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland May 16, 1918 Sweden June 26, 1934 Number 

